"In June of 2002 my mother came home from a family friend’s Bat-Mitzvah and told me that she’d reconnected with a woman she’d grown up with. She explained to me that this woman’s son, Adam, was interested in having a surgery I had a few months prior. My mom told me he might be calling.

"When Adam called he asked me a bunch of questions about the procedure, but it seemed our conversation kept getting side-tracked. Before I knew it, we had been on the phone for two hours! We met for coffee a few days later and began dating.

"Two years later, Adam decided to have the surgery. Complications kept him in the hospital much longer than we had expected. During this time I realized how much I loved him.

"On our three-year anniversary he arranged for us to go out to dinner to celebrate. After our meal, Adam asked if I wanted to take a walk. Before I knew it, he was down on one knee asking me to marry him. I of course said yes!

"One Sunday afternoon we visited the Hilton Pearl River. After walking around the venue, I knew we had found the perfect space. We worked with Philip Ferrari, the assistant director of catering. He had so many great ideas and was a pleasure to work with. He made us feel at ease, and I never had a worry in the world.

"On our wedding day, the staff at the Hilton Pearl River was attentive and conscientious. They set up an entire room for my hair and makeup artists, and served my bridal party breakfast and lunch.

"The entire day was surreal. It really hit me when the doors leading to the ceremony opened up. The room looked spectacular. I looked down the candle-lit aisle and saw Adam at the end waiting for me.

"For our reception, tea lights hung from the ceiling of the Grand Ballroom and the tables had sterling silver candelabras with different colored flowers. The next thing I knew, Adam and I were dancing our first dance, doing the traditional hora, greeting guests, and cutting the cake.

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Melissa Marquand & Adam Horowytz Ceremony: Hilton Pearl River Reception: Hilton Pearl River Gown: Monique Lhuillier Bridesmaids: Amsale Hair & Makeup: Salon V’PAJ Ring: Cohen Bros. Veil: Jennifer Leigh Bridal Florist: Wild Flowers Cake: Hilton Pearl River & Wild Flowers Photographer: Fred Marcus, 212.873.5588 Band: Hank Lane Honeymoon: Hawaii The Hilton Pearl River, 845.735.9000 www.HiltonPearlRiver.com/weddings

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"The reception was filled with food which our families had hand-picked, including chicken with mango salsa, chateaubriand, salmon with a dill sauce, and Chilean sea bass with a garlic butter sauce. Each morsel of food was more delectable than the last.

"The most lavish of all was the dessert. The doors opened to reveal the most extravagant feast filled with a crépes station, cakes, cookies, créme brulee, and chocolate-covered strawberries. Our favorite was the chocolate fountain fondue.